[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

Special Achievement Awards Presented to Salma Hayek, Oscar De La Hoya and
Raul Yzaguirre, plus a Tribute to the Late Ricardo Montalban

"The 2009 ALMA Awards�" taped a star-studded event on September 17 at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus, delivering what is surely the biggest night on television for Latinos. The awards program airs tonight, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Television and film actress Eva Longoria Parker and comedian George Lopez co-hosted the star-studded event. Longoria Parker also serves in her recurring role as one of the show's executive producers.

For the first time in history, the two-hour special, presented by NCLR (National Council of La Raza)�the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States�is taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when Americans celebrate the Latino community and the contributions Latinos have made to our country throughout its history. The ALMA Awards celebrates the contributions of Latinos in the entertainment industry with Year in Review video packages and live performances from some of the world's most popular acts.

Salma Hayek, the first Latina to be nominated for a lead actress Academy Award for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film "Frida," receives the Anthony Quinn Award for Industry Excellence for honoring her Latino heritage through her craft while making a significant contribution to the Latino community.

Oscar De La Hoya is recognized with the Special Achievement in Sports Television Award for the contributions he has made to advancing the Latino image in sports television and for paving the way for others to produce positive stories on Latino sports figures.

Jimmy Smits and NCLR President and CEO Janet Murgu�a honor ALMA Awards creator Raul Yzaguirre with the first-ever PepsiCo Adelante ALMA Award for his lifetime of service to the Latino community, including his 30-year tenure as NCLR President and CEO.

Rita Moreno presents a special tribute in memory of the late Ricardo Montalban honoring his extraordinary film and television career and his efforts to overcome the negative image of Latinos in the entertainment industry.

For more than 40 years, NCLR has been promoting the advancement of Latino families in this country, creating opportunities and opening doors. The NCLR ALMA Awards presentation is an integral part of the mission: A national primetime ABC Network entertainment special with a cause�to show how diversity strengthens our country and inclusion strengthens the entertainment industry.

The show is presented with the support of sponsors and advertisers. PepsiCo is the show's Title Sponsor. Gold Sponsors include Pepsi, Doritos, Gatorade, Quaker, Target, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Comcast, and Tropicana. Silver Sponsors include Prudential, ConAgra Foods, Verizon, State Farm Insurance Companies, McDonald's, L'Oreal, and the Walt Disney Company.

This year, the executive producers are Bob Bain, Janet Murgu�a, David Chavez, and Eva Longoria Parker.